| The biggest concerns we heard from family and friends here at home were about our safety while crossing the border between Mexico and the USA. While the crimes that have occurred along this area have been horrendous, we were well protected and felt safe along our entire journey from Ajijic to Nogales. The vast majority of the drug related crimes occurred in the six northern states of Mexico that border the USA. To do our part we 1) drove during day time hours and 2) drove on tow roads. When we crossed into the state of Sonora, this tow road became a "Hassle Free Zone," designed to assure safety for all travelers, especially tourists from the United States and Canada.
Most of these pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them. To keep in touch, click here and send us an update Larry and Glorine. | ||
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| We left Ajijic on the morning of April 1, but before we left we had friends bearing gifts-a bottle of AGAVERO, sweet tequila liquor. Hmmm, Hmmm, Hmmm. Lil and Norm rent a beautiful mansion overlooking Ajijic and use her ATV to get around town. She took Glorine on a joy ride over the cobblestone streets to pick up some last minute necessities before leaving town. | We took the same road coming from and going to Ajijic for the past two year, which goes through Mazatlan and San Carlos. Here we are enjoying a margarita at one of the famous landmarks of Mazatlan, the Shrimp Bucket. Mazatlan is another city that attracts both short term visitors (cruise ships) and long term snow birds like us. Several of the friends we made last year now call this home. | |
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| The high demand for illegal drugs in the United States is a lucrative business and the drug lords try every means to get drugs across the border. This line of trucks stretched over ten miles long and the military methodically inspected one truck at a time. Luckily, we cruised past them with no problems. | From the time we entered the State of Sonora to the time we crossed the U.S. border, the roads were heavily patrolled by both federal police and the military. At times it felt like a police excort, which made us feel safe and sound. |  |
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| Our first stop after crossing the border was with Dennis and Nancy who live east of Tucson. We spent three days relaxing on their toy farm. Dennis is into all sorts of horses, now including a metal horse he designed and crafted from all sorts of farm machinery. | Our second stop was with Claudia and Lou who were still "snow birding" in their winter home of Earp, California. We met some great neighbors of theirs, originally from Idaho, who spent nearly 20 years in Mexico, working with orphans. Here Claudia and Lou are sporting their new wheels. | |
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| Most of April was spent with our daughters, son-in-laws and their children. Four months away from them brought lots of changes in our little grand children. Dakota is now 3-1/2 years old and is going on ten. She loves computer games and can swim like a fish. She is a little sweetie! | Sierra was our biggest surprise because of all her changes she made since we left last October. She is a walker, talker, a bit of a dare-devil, and has a contagious smile. With Dakota as her role model, she is starting to potty train herself, at 1-1/2 years old. One can only wonder what her future holds. |  |
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| Dakota has become Mommy's little cook. They have a "kitchen helper" which is an enclosed stand that brings Dakota at counter height to pitch in on most of the cooking and baking activities. While she loves to help cook, she is still quite the picky eater. | Easter Sunday we were invited over to their friends, John and Cathy for a great meal, Easter egg hunt and time in the hot top. Dakota and Sierra and their little friend Mia were dressed in their new Easter outfits. | |
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| Their friends have quite the swimming complex in their backyard. Their hot tub is huge and is in the shape of a cave. Dakota and Sierra showed off their swimming skills. They have no fear of the water. | Our last couple days with Carmen were spent in Las Vegas, where Mike was finishing up a week long conference. Our biggest thrill was babysitting the girls while Mike and Carmen had a night on the town. |  |
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| A family that baths together stays together-or something like that. The Wynn Hotel was one of the most luxurious hotels we ever stayed in with every creature comfort imaginable. We also got in a little gambling and spent time at an interactive children museum. It was fun watching the girls taking it all in. | We drove to San Diego to spend the day with Larry's cousin Don Barth and his wife Elsie. They are much like us, retired with children living thousands of miles from their home, which was in Bismarck. They RVed for about ten years and then recently bought a condo there. San Diego is much like Ajijic with the mildest year 'round climate, but the cost of living is very high. That did not stop them from treating us to lobster dinner at a local casino. Another great day. | |
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| We spent mid April with Denise, Craig, Clara and Chase in Prior Lake. Our first day was craft day at the Minnesota Zoo, where we showed off our coloring and hat building skills. We have an annual membership there and were amazed at all the changes they made since last fall. | A couple of days later we spent a day at the Mall of America, the largest mall in the USA. In the center of the mall is a large amusement park that is now a Nickelodeon theme. | |
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| Clara is no stranger here and was very anxious to show Grandpa and Grandma all the rides. | This was a week day and the mall seemed all but deserted from the weak economy. That did not stop Clara from having fun on the various rides. | |
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| While Clara was enjoying going from ride to ride, Baby Chase was just content watching Grandma and Grandpa taking their turns riding with her. He is now seven months old and just learning to scoot around a bit. | On to a birthday party for one of Clara's friends at a gymnastic center. The girls were having fun on all the equipment. Here Grandma is helping Clara out on the balance beam. She is a natural! | |
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| Again Baby Chase was enjoying watching big sister and her friends having all the fun they could get in. What a treat to see all four of these special little people. We are blessed. | Our last night in Minnesota we took in a local carnival put on by the Catholic Church of Prior Lake. The place was packed, with all sorts of games, food and music-and yes it was COLD. | |
April's web page includes April 1 through April 30, 2009.
